Bebt casper



A. CASPER. ELECTRIC CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR-25.19IB.

Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

mwwtoz Qmibneoo I .a inisi ALBERT CASPER, 0F VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIC CONNECTION.

Application filed April 25, 1918. Serial No. 230,764.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT CASPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vallejo, in the county of Solano and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Connections; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to electric connections, and it relates more particularly to an improved plug and socket connector.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an electric connector whereby a slip connection may be quickly and easily made with an ordinary internally screw-threaded lamp socket.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which may be quickly and easily disconnected without rotation of the connector or plug relative to the socket.

Another object is to provide an electric connection in which the tendency of the plug to pull out of the socket tightens the engagement ofthe detents or spring catches that engage with the threads of the socket.

Another object is to provide an electric connection with manipulative members whereby the detents and electric contact elements are simultaneously moved out of their respective efiective positions. 7

Another object is to provide an electric connection in which all conducting parts and substantially all working parts are inclosed and thus protected.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which is neat, sightly and sanitary.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which is of simple construction, comparatively inexpensive, highly efiicient and thoroughly practical.

Other objects and advantages may become apparent to persons who read the following details of description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but viewed alonga line 'at right angles to the line of vision of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view along the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, except that the working parts are differently posit1oned..

Referring to these drawings in detail, in which snnilar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, the socket 5 is of ordinary internally threaded construction, and is not descrlbed in detail, except to call attention to the depressions 6 between the screwthreads; the conductors 7 and 8, which are indicated diagrammatically; and the contact element 9.

The connector or plug which constitutes this lnvention comprises a hollow insulating body 10, a metallic supporting element 11, a conductor element 12, connector elements 13 and 14, manipulative operating elements 15. levers or actuating elements 16, an insulat ing element 17, a nonconducting actuating element 18, a spring 19 and conductors 20 and 21, the latter being shown diagrammatically in Figs. 3 and 41 The insulating body 10 is provided with apertures 23, and through each of these apertures extends a portion of the detent 24, the outwardly extending portions of the element 24 being convexed so as to fit within one or another of the depressions 6 of the socket. The detents 24 are preferably formed integrally with the support 11 and are composed of spring metal and therefore constitute contacts which close the circuit between the conductor 2O and'the screw-threaded inner portion of the socket 5. The detents 24 are connected together by means of the connecting elements 13 and 14, the latter being pivotally connected to the elements 13, and these elements being pivotally connected to the elements 24, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The member 11 is provided with an aperture 25 through which the insulating member or tube 17 extends, and through this tube extends a rod 26 which has a contact element 27 secured on its upper end. These elements 26 and 27 constitute the conductor 12 to which the conductor 21 is electrically connected by any appropriate means. The contact element 27 is held in its normal eflective position by means of the spring 19, the latter being seated upon a flange 28 in the insulating element 17. I

The insulating element 18 is secured to the rod 26 and is provided with a head 29 which is movable into contact with the element 14 by means of a pin-and-slot connection 30 with the levers 16, the latter being ii e swung abouttheir, respective pivots 31 by means of the manipulative members 15 which are preferably of porcelain or other non-conducting material, and are mounted '5 to swing about their respectlve plvots 32. The

outward movement of the members 15 1s limited by means of the shoulders 33 formed in the body 10, while the levers 16 and thelr pivots 31 limit the inward movement of the members 15.

From the foregoing description, it will'be seen that the parts 24 and 27 may be simultaneously moved away from their effective positions by pressing the members inward 15 against the contiguous arms of the levers 16,

thereby causing said levers to draw the rod 26 downward, so that the head 29 presses the element 14 downward and thereby 00- operates with the links 13 for drawing the detents inward.

However, clearance is preferably provided between the head 29 and the element 18 when the elements 24and 27 are in their effective positions, so that the element 29 does not in- .25 terfere with the most complete and preferred engagement of the detents 24 with the depressions 6. Moreover, because-of this clearance, the contact is first broken between the contact elements 9 and 27, and when the 30 head 29 begins to operate the elements 13,

14 and 24, these-parts are then moved simultaneously with the elements 26 and 27.

In applying this plug to the socket, the user grasps the lower part of the plug and presses the, manipulative members 15' 1nward, thereby moving to the ineffective position shown in Fig. 4.

When the plu has been inserted in the socket, the mem ers 15 are released so as to 40 allow the detents 24 to en a e with the respective depressions6, an t e spring 19 1s allowed to press the contact element 27 against the contact element 9, thereby closing the circuit between the conductors 8,

9, 20 and 21 through the medium of the members 11 and 26.

For convenience in manufacturing, the body 10 is referably made in two complemental sections which are secured together by any appropriate means, such, for instance,

as a screw 34.

Although I have described this embodiment of my invention very specifically, it is not intended to limit my invention to these exact details but I contemplate making minor changes within the scope of the inventive idea disclosed in the foregoing description and appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is: p 1. Inan electric connection, a' plug comprising a hollow insulating body, a detent mounted in said body and having a part movable in and out through a side of said body and adapted to engage with a socket for securing the plug in the socket, a movthe parts 24 and 27 comprising a supporting element having deable contact element, and a manipulative ele ment operatable to move said contact element and said detent away from their-respective effective positions.

2. In an electric connection, a plug comprising a hollow insulating body, a detent, mounted in said bod and having a part movable in and out t roughv a side of said body and adapted to engage with a socket for securing the plug in the socket, a movable contact element, and a manipulative ele- 1 ment operableto' simultaneously move said contact element and said detent away from their respective effective positions while the plug remains fixed with relation to. the socket.

3. In an electric connection, a plug comprising a hollow insulatingbody, a detent mounted in said body and having a part movable in and out through a side of said body and adapted to engage with a socket for securing the plug in the socket, a movable contact element, a spring to move said contact element to its effective position, and a; manipulative element operable .to simultaneously move said contact element and said detent away from their respective effective positions while the plug remains fixed with relation to the socket.

4. In an electric connection, a plug comprising a hollow insulating body, a detent mounted in said body and having-a part movable in and out through a side of said body and adapted to engage with a socket for securing the plug in the socket, a movable contact element, and a manipulative element operable to first movesaid contact element out of its effective position and then move said detent out of its effective position while the plug remains fixed with relation to the socket.

5. In an electric connection, .a plug comprising .a hollow insulating body, a detent mounted in said body'and having a part movable in and out through a sideof said body and adapted to engage with a socket for securing the plug in the socket, a rod mounted for movement longitudinally within said body, an electric contact element carried by said rod, an actuating element mounted to be moved by means of said rod, manipulative means operable to move said rod and thereby move said contact element and actuating element, and means cooperative with said actuating element for moving said detent inwardly of said body.

6. In an electric connection, a connector tents of conducting material that are movable into and out of contact with the'internal conducting and plug-supporting threads of an ordinary lamp-socket, a contact element supported by said supporting element and movable with relation thereto into and out of contact with a contact element of said 130 lamp-socket, and means movable with relationto said supporting element and operable to effect movement'of said detents and of said contact element out of their contact with said lamp-socket.

7 In an electric connection, a plug comprising a hollow insulatin body, a detent mounted in said body an having a part adapted to extend outward for engagement with a socket, a contact element supported by said insulating body and movable relative thereto in and out of contact with a contact element of an electric lamp socket, and a manipulative means operatable to first move said contact element out of contact with that of the lamp socket and thereafter move said detent inward.

8. In an electric connection, a connector comprising a supporting element having detents of conductin material that are movable into and out 0 contact with the internal conducting and plug-supporting threads of an ordina lam socket, a contact element supported l; 1 send supporting element and movable wit relation thereto into and out of contact with a contact element of said lamp-socket, av rod movable longitudinally between said detents, a spring for moving said rod in one direction, means whereby movement of said rod in the o posite direction efi'ects movement of sai contact element and of said detents out of their contact with said lamp socket, and means for moving said rod in said opposite direction.

, n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing 1 witnesses.

ALBERT CASPER.

Witnesses:

Mann) HANNs, B. E. CUNNINGHAM. 

